At the beginning of September, I read this diary from newyorknewyork. It's not the kind of diary I normally cotton to, but something about it made me think: I am NOT DOING ENOUGH.
So: I have quit my job -- really -- and I'm leaving in a week to go back to Pennsylvania to help out on the campaign.
This is the hardest thing I've ever done - not because of the work, but because I'm going to be separated from my family for a month. I realize not everybody, few of us in fact because of our jobs and families and community obligations, can do what I'm doing. But for me this is get-off-the-can time.
I'm going to make one final request for my fellow Kossacks of long-standing here, and that's to give me a tip - or rather, tip me via my Personal Obama fund-raiser page, for real -- for $10.01 or more if you can still open up the pocketbooks and wallets and ATM cards, just to give me a little extra "vote" of support.
Some more personal thoughts on the flip.
First off, a disclaimer for the likely skeptics out there. Yes, I really did quit my job so I could so this. I had planned on leaving it later in the year, as we are hoping to adopt another child, and I am hoping to be a Stay at Home Dad again. But the sense of urgency, of never having another chance to make a difference, indeed made me accelerate this. I'll be missing a few months of salary, at least, and I'm paying my own way to work.
(Update): I should also mention the other thing that really got me. It was the sarcasm about "Community Organizers" in the Palin speech. It was so ignorant, so contemptuous, of what people doing the hardest work at helping themselves are really about, I said to myself, I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING MORE.
Next, what am I doing. I'm volunteering for SEIU in Pennsylvania helping with database coordination for get out the vote efforts. It may sound dishdirtdull, but I'm hoping it will be a good use of my skills. I'm hoping to "moonlight" as much as possible on local Obama door-knocking and other events in various parts of the state. If you're a Pennsylvania local and on MyBarackObama, please send me a Friend Invitation!
Another question: why Pennsylvania? I'm a native New Englander, and now live in California (where my wife works for the Department of Defense, which is why we're out here.) But I lived in Pennsylvania for a dozen years, I went to school there, I have relatives there, friends across the state, and know it as well as any other place in our great Republic. I feel like it's a must-win state for the fall, and my roots there are genuine and wide. I cut my teeth there working for Hart and Mondale in '84 and doing door-knocking for Bob Edgar, Lynn Yeakel, and Harris Wofford.
Yes, we need to win Nevada, too, but I think there's plenty of energy in Nevada and from neighboring states, including California, to help there. I just think because it was my state for so many years this is the place for me.
If you want a bit more detail on why I am so motivated, and now, please visit (and tip me with some contribution ending in .01, so I know it's from the Netroots) my MyBarackObama fundraiser page.
I'm leaving in a week, it would make me feel like I have the support of the community if I could get a few dozen "votes" with $10.01 contributions from total strangers (I'm also asking my friends and family).
And of course, please forward this to friends and family if you see fit. I want to encourage everybody, if you can do a little more -- another contribution, a few doors knocked, having a conversation in the checkout line -- every little bit helps.
Thanks...!
Matt Wall (TheCrank on Daily Kos)